Delaware painter dies after scaffolding collapses

A painter died Monday morning after falling from the roof of a Mill Creek home when his scaffolding collapsed, in the second fatal accident at a Delaware home in the past week. It was not clear Monday what caused the scaffolding to collapse, or whether the incident had been referred to Fed-OSHA. Authorities say the victim and a co-employee, who were employed by a tree cutting service, were cutting down a tree in the backyard of the home when the victim was hit by a branch. Delaware News Journal

Safety groups respond to Fed-OSHA family communication plan

Earlier this month, Fed-OSHA issued updated guidance on working with families. It includes communicating about inspections, findings, and the closing of investigations. Leaders of workplace safety organizations have welcomed the new guidance to improve communications with surviving family members when the agency investigates workplace fatalities, calling it “an important step in the right direction.” Facility Executive

South Carolina OSHA announces intent to develop general infectious disease standard

The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation last week announced its intent to develop a general OSHA standard intended to address workplace hazards from all infectious diseases in the workplace, writes Jonathan Crotty of Parker Poe. JD Supra

Michigan rep calls for investigation after death of steelworker who fell from catwalk

Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell is asking for an investigation into AK Steel after an employee fell from an elevated catwalk and died July 16 at the company’s plant in Dearborn. In her letter to Fed-OSHA, Dingell requests a full investigation into workplace safety standards and management policies at the site. Click on Detroit

Feds and states not taking radioactivity from fracking seriously: Report

Fracking, which can blast known toxins such as radium, lead and polonium out of rock formations, might be an economic boon to some landowners in depressed sections of Eastern Ohio, Western Pennsylvania and much of West Virginia, but federal and state officials are not adequately protecting citizens from the radiation hazards posed by the process, according to a new report by the Natural Resources Defense Council. Ohio Capital Journal

Illinois officials provide steps to prevent violence on the job

State officials in Illinois on Monday announced the Illinois Department of Labor is highlight steps to prevent violence on the job. KWQC (Davenport, Iowa)

‘To cope with the labor shortage, raise emotional compensation’

Raising wages and offering attractive benefit packages are the primary and traditional tools employers have used to attract and retain quality people. In this new environment, however, employers should not limit their thinking to compensation that is purely financial, writes Michael Lee Stallard, of E Pluribus Partners. Government Executive